II.

A story from 500 years ago, memories of the lost gifted of heavens. The shogun pursues his duty and compassion to his people. His life might seem so perfect but he caught the attention of a certain courtesan that he would never acknowledge. Though the shogun's hate for the courtesans prevailed him he still tries to reject her politely. But the courtesan knew something about the shogun and she should warn him about what was bound to happen, even if it cost their lives.

"Romance?"

Sabay na napatanong sina Mallory at Ashton. Pareho silang napakunot noo sa bagong blurb na sinend ni Natasha kay Mallory.

"Don't worry it's book two. Nasend ko na sa editor ang manuscript ko sa first book."

"But here it's 500 years ago?" tanong ni Ashton habang nakatingin pa rin sa phone ni Mallory. They're currently on call with Natasha. "Bakit mo pinalitan?"

"Para umabot ng book three."

Ashton's brows knitted. Book three? He knows writing such a story could take months how could he wait for book three?!

"I'm midway through book two don't worry. Ashton favor naman oh? Samahan mo muna si Mal."

"Ah! Wag na! Uuwi nalang ako," halos pasigaw na saad ni Mallory sa phone niya. "Baka busy si Ash huy."

Napansin ni Ashton ang maliit na papel na nahulog sa bulsa ni Mallory nang may isiniksik siya rito. Yumuko si Ashton para pulutin ito at nakita ang dalawang ticket para sa isang amusement park. Was it the place Mal wanted to go?

"Amusement park?" Ibinigay ni Ashton ang dalawang ticket kay Mallory. "Why don't we give it a try?"

Mallory could hear Natasha whistling on the phone, "I can sense a da—"

Mabilis na ini-off ni Mallory ang phone at iniangat ang tingin kay Ashton. He was looking at her genuinely. How could she even say 'no'?

It has been almost a month when Mallory and Ashton become friends. Friends with benefits in a way that they were somehow used by Natasha, not in a bad way of course. 

It wasn't the first time Natasha ditched Mallory on their meetings. How many times was it again? Two? Three?

"Ilang beses ka na ba niyang iniiwan? Are you sure she's your friend?" tanong ni Ashton habang nakasakay na sila sa kotse nito. There was a short silence before Ashton chuckled. "Or do you perhaps wants to spend time with me?"

Mallory sighed in disbelief. She didn't expect that side of Ashton.

"First, hindi kita inaya at ikaw ang nagrepresenta sa sarili mo. Pangalawa, hindi ako interesado sa'yo noh."

The second was obviously a lie. Kailanman ay hindi siya nagalit kay Natasha kapag hindi siya sinisipot nito. For some reason, Ashton would always arrive at their meeting place first before Natasha tells her she isn't coming. Only to find out Natasha called Ashton out for her.

It's like Natasha keeps on insisting them to be together.

She also wanted it to happen. Experiencing the feeling of being the leading lady of her own story. If only there's nothing wrong with her.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the sign outside the amusement park. It was her first time. It's listed in one of her bucket lists. Sinong mag-aakala na lalaki pala ang magdadala sa kaniya sa pinakamasayang lugar na alam niya?

"Let's go!" Hinila ni Malloy si Ashton na nakangiti't napailing na lang sa ginawa niya. Kailanman ay hindi rin nakapunta si Ashton sa amusement park. It's also his first time and he's with a girl. He's hoping it would turn out well.

They went on different rides. Every single time Mallory notices the subtle questions Ashton asks and it's always about Natasha's story. She can't help but answer it. Though, at some point, she felt like he was just staying for her just to ask her these questions.

She can't deny that she enjoys Ashton's company. The flirty jokes he brings that she vaguely noticed, the expressive stares he gave at her, and the care and attentiveness he is giving her. 

Minsan mapapatahimik na lamang siya sa tuwing nahahalata ni Ashton na may mali sa kaniya. Alam niya gusto na siyang tanungin ni Ashton tungkol rito pero pilit niyang iniiba ang usapan.

"Ah! Ash! May balloon!"

"Acting like a child again." Inayos ni Ashton sa pagkakasuot sa ulo ni Mallory ang headband na may bunny ears. "Anong kulay gusto mo?" 

Ashton was leaning down on her as she was quite shorter than him. Mallory can't help but stare at his eyes and at that very moment, she knew colors flashed before her eyes.

"Mal?"

"Blue just blue."

Iniwan siya ni Ashton sa gilid bago lumapit sa lalaking nagbebenta ng mga balloon. She tried squinting her eyes just to differentiate its shade.

Bumalik si Ashton na may dalang dalawang balloon. At the back of her head she was panicking. 

"Pick the color you choose."

She knows she can't choose.

"Mal." Ibinaba ni Ashton ang tingin kay Mallory. He lightly lifted her chin just so he could see her eyes. "Do you have something to tell me?"

The moment Ashton looks at her with that caring, worried expression, colors flickered for a moment. She knew that blue has the same color as the sky. Kung kaya't dali-dali niyang hinila ang asul na baloon na nasa kabilang kamay ni Ashton.

"Ang landi mo." Mallory nervously laughed. Though she was wondering why she could somehow see colors in certain circumstances, especially when she's with him. "Ano bang dapat kong sabihin?"

"Wala naman." Tinapik na naman siya ni Ashton sa ulo bago siya tuluyang inakbayan. Pareho silang may hawak na mga balloon at  naka headband na may tainga. It's like they're child again. 

Mallory couldn't help but clutch her chest when she somehow felt breathless. 

"Mal? Mal? Mal! You're bleeding!"

Before she knew it she was already passing out.

It's like death already flashed before Ashton's eyes as he immediately carried Mallory in his embrace. The people around them were petrified seeing a lifeless-looking body face covered in blood. 

He almost sprinted in the middle of the crowd carrying her into his car. 

Mabilis niyang tinawagan si Natasha habang nagmamaneho. When he suggested to bring Mallory to the hospital Natasha objected. 

"Please! Not the hospital. She would hate to see herself in the hospital. She'll be fine just stop panicking."

"How could I be fine?!"

"Ash." 

Napalingon si Ashton sa katabi niya at nakitang gising na ito at nakahawak na sa ilong nito. Her nose had stop bleeding but there are traces of blood on it. 

"Mallory." Agad na ibinaba ni Ashton ang tawag at bahagyang hininaan ang pagmamaneho. Seeing her awake was relieving to him.

"I'm sorry," mahinang bulong ni Mallory at agad na napayuko.

Ashton didn't say a word, he just continued driving. 

Walang alam si Mallory kung saan sila pupunta pero agad niyang natanaw ang malaking gate na patungo sa isang subdivision. Her eyes gazing on the modern styled houses that differs in design and height. If only she could see things more vibrant maybe she could appreciate the designs more.

They entered somebody's garage and park their car there. When Mallory saw the bunch of keys taken out of the glove compartment, she knew they're on Ashton's house. It made her heart race. 

The house was most likely empty. 

Ashton escorted Mallory inside. The two-story modern house welcomed them. 

After a few arguing, Mallory ends up in Ashton's bedroom waiting for him to comeback after he'll pick some extra clothing. Halos duguan na ang suot niyang T-shirt at pants. Bakit ba naman kasi sa lahat ng pagkakataon na pwedeng magsabay ang pagdurugo ng ilong niya at panghihina ng katawan niya ay sa araw pa kung saan nasa labas siya?

Though, silently she was happy. At least she got to spend a few more moments with Ashton. It might pain her in the future but there's nothing more important to her but the present, for she doesn't even know if her future will ever come.